A Pocono Perspective ~ Woodloch's Blog

This spring, summer and fall, making that annual trip to the shore, Florida, the west coast or abroad might not be an easy decision. The rise in fuel cost is unavoidable for all of us this year and American families are going to have to make a tough choice on how they vacation, if they vacation at all.

The rise in energy costs most likely won’t impact taking the once-a-year vacation for the family, but it will affect where the family goes. It’s also going to have an adverse effect on the multiple weekend excursions that happen in the warmer weather. The biggest punch to the wallet is going to come through airline prices.

“You’ll see gradual increases and then a much bigger jump in April and May when people start shopping for the summer travel season,” says Rick Seaney, CEO of travel website FareCompare.com. The airlines have already tried to push through rate hikes in the first two months of the year – a very very early start.

Unfortunately we’re going to see costs rise across the board. The daily work commute is going to put a squeeze on disposable income and everyone will feel the increases from Amazon.com shipping charges to the bananas at the grocery store to compensate for freight hikes.

Prices are already in the headlines and another trendy word from 2008 is starting to creep back into the media’s vocabulary - staycation.

"About 75 percent of leisure travel is not essential," says George Hobica of the travel website airfarewatchdog.com. "Fares have reached a ceiling. I think you'll see more people stay home, or they'll drive or take the bus or the train." The fuel issue is causing headaches just about everywhere!

So Close to Home:

Woodloch resort is located only 95 miles from the heart of Manhattan, Times Square! You can easily arrive on property in less than two hours from the city, underthree from the heart of Long Island and Philadelphia. It's even easier from Northern New Jersey, Westchester and Stamford CT. The trip is about a half a tank of gas one way.

Don’t Worry About Driving Around: Park your car and forget about it! Often referred to as a “cruise on land”, Woodloch’s expansive property is easy to navigate on foot or by the shuttle service provided that spins around the resort about every fifteen minutes.

All of Woodloch’s activities and amenities are all right on property within walking distance and better still, just about all of them are included in one value-packed rate.

Mass Transit, Green Traveling: Not only is Woodloch a convenient drive-to destination, it’s easy to get to by bus or train. The Shortline Bus leaves from Port Authority in New York and takes about two and a half hours to get into Woodloch’s quaint little town of Hawley, Pennsylvania. Better still, Woodloch will provide free shuttle service to and from the bus stop.

As these higher fuel costs make vacationing Americans rethink their normal travel plans it’s easy to see there are great options, nearby, and Woodloch provides the perfect setting for anyone’s Spring, Summer and Fall vacation.

Will our flights be on time? How much extra will I have to pay to check my bags? What are the new security restrictions on carry-ons? What are the size and weight limits again? Will we get the kids from one end of the airport to the other without any problems or stops along the way?

Between flight rules and restrictions and cramped quarters on planes, consumers are looking for less hassles and more convenient methods of travel. This often means staying closer to home, somewhere within driving distance.

Set on over 250 acres in the scenic Pocono Mountains, Woodloch Pines features its own private lake, mountain vistas, and expansive grounds which together serve as a playground for all kinds of fun! With multi-generational activities, including a Broadway-style theme show and a variety of recreational activities and interactive games, Woodloch is often referred to as a "cruise on land." Batting cages, bumper cars, arts and crafts, go carts, game rooms, horse racing, mini golf, Segway tours, trapshooting, ice skating, boating, zip lining . . . it’s all in one place!

No driving miles to get to the tennis courts or the pool. No need to load the car full of beach gear and then drive to the ocean. Just walk out of your room to the beach and lake; towels are waiting for you on the chairs! No need to pack equipment either. We provide you with all the gear you need, whether it be for snow tubing in the winter or waterskiing in the summer.

Unless you are a Kardashian, my guess is you have a wedding budget… and a tight wedding budget at that. Within that budget are things you want, things you need, and things you just HAVE to have or else your day will be ruined. As a newlywed myself, I know how it goes… trust me!

All along I thought transportation for my bridal party was something we would skip to save money – until I was a bridesmaid in another wedding, quickly I realized how annoying it was to plan transportation for myself for the wedding day…

The bus we got was perfect – it picked my bridesmaids and I up at where we were staying and took us to the church. After the hectic morning of getting ready it was nice to spend the ride with just my best friends. After the ceremony, the entire bridal party (bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen) loaded into the bus and went off to take pictures in the area. Growing up in the Poconos, I had to get pictures in a few local spots near Woodloch Pines Resort – including the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack… my photographer wasn’t sure we’d be able to fit all the pictures in with the limited time between the ceremony and reception, but we did! I think it was because we trapped… er I mean, kept the bridal party all together with the convenience of the bus!

Wedding Tip - To keep everyone happy, pack a cooler with beverages and snacks to have on the bus or when you get to your picture locations! The way I figured it was that you are asking all these people to pose for pictures… and in my case, by a lake on a freezing cold day… so at least show them that you are thinking of them!

I only used the bus for the bridal party, but if your ceremony and reception are not directly connected to where your guests are staying – you should also consider arranging transportation for them as well! That way everyone can celebrate and enjoy without worry. The wedding coordinators at Woodloch were a huge help with my transportation needs… so whether you are getting married there or another Poconos resorts, don’t be afraid to ask for help and suggestions!

Here’s a picture our photographer took from the car behind us on our way to the wedding: